December is the month we take time to remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is one of the best-known verses in the bible:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Why did God do this incredible selfless act? He so loved the world. When we look at the world and see all that is happening, the good and the evil, the joy and the sorrow, the kindnesses and the cruelty, what is our response? As Christians, God calls us to accurately represent Him on this earth. To do that, our response must be like His-love. But how can we love a world that is so broken, and people who can be so thoughtless and selfish? Without God’s perspective it will impossible. When we try to love in our own strength, every gesture can become an effort and even a simple service, a struggle. We must let God give us His perspective and choose to step into His heart. It is there that we will experience a fresh, the wonder of the gift of His Son, personally, for you and for me. It is as we are filled with His love that we can then extend that love to those around us – our family, friends, neighbours, coworkers and strangers.
Are you thinking of what to buy those you know and love this Christmas? Are you concerned about size and colour? Do you need to include a gift receipt so that they can return it? Gift giving is wonderful and fun. God is such a generous God. He loves to give gifts and I believe that’s why we do as well. It is wonderful to give something that those you care about will enjoy in this world, but I believe it is even more important to give them something that can impact their eternity.
This Christmas let us go to God and let Him fill us with His heart so that we can give the greatest gift we have to give, God’s love.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we want to thank You for the extravagant, incomprehensible, life changing gift of Your one and only precious Son. You saw our greatest need, and You selflessly chose to fill it Yourself. During this busy season, may we spend time with You and allow Your love to fill us, so that as we have so freely received, we will freely give. May we share the gift of Your love with everyone we meet so that You would be glorified and Your Kingdom advanced. In Jesus divine and holy name we pray, amen.